World

Baltic States to buy power from Belarus and Russia

The Estonian state television reports that the Baltic States are going to increase power purchases from Belarus and Russia in the coming days. Moreover, since October, Latvia and Estonia have already increased the energy imports from the Union State by 40%. This is happening despite the fact that the Baltic States have announced their intention to leave the BRELL network, which allows ensuring the flow of electricity from Russia and Belarus, by 2025. However, instead of reducing imports, our neighbors, on the contrary, are increasing them. The reason is in the sharp rise in power prices on the Norwegian exchange: in recent days, a megawatt-hour of electricity there cost a thousand euros, while on average its cost in the Baltics States was 470 euros. This was the reason for the sharp, many-fold increase in the cost of energy and utilities in all Baltic countries. In such a situation, even the BelNPP power, which was called "dirty" and "dangerous," turned out to be a lifesaver.

Russian expert: Wests pressure does not affect EAEU development

MINSK, 13 December (BelTA) - Pressure from Western countries does not affect the development of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Moreover, all regions of the world show interest in the integration association, Director General of the Center for Study of Integration Prospects (Russia) Sergey Rekeda said in an interview to Belarus 1 TV channel as he commented on the results of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting held on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

Turkmenistan celebrates Neutrality Day

Turkmenistan celebrates the Neutrality Day on December 12. Back in 1995, the republic pledged not to participate in the armed conflicts and not to interfere in the internal affairs of other states. The President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was congratulated on Turkmenistans national holiday by the head of the Belarusian state. Alexander Lukashenko expressed his confidence that the historically established friendly relations between Minsk and Ashkhabad would serve as a reliable foundation for the development of a constructive political dialogue and intensification of economic and humanitarian contacts.

Belarus, Mongolia intend to intensify cooperation in security

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) - State Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Aleksandr Volfovich met with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia to Belarus Batsukh Bayarsaikhan in Minsk on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

The parties discussed the topical issues of interstate cooperation and the prospects for cooperation in security.

Censor crosses out words about start of hungerstrike in political prisoner’s letter

Political prisoner Henadz Smirnou, who is being held in Baranavichy pre-trial detention centre, went on a hunger strike, he wrote in a letter dated November 28. However, a censor crossed out the words about the hunger strike, human rights activists report .

Arrested journalist Syarhei Satsuk declared political prisoner

According to the latest information, 31 journalists and media workers are now behind bars in Belarus. To put that in context, there are more imprisoned journalists in China (50 persons), but China’s population is 155 times as that of Belarus.

Syarhei Satsuk: euroradio.by

Eight Belarusian human rights watchdogs issued a joint statement recognising Syarhei Satsuk, editor-in-chief of the online business daily Ezhednevnik (ej.by), as a political prisoner. Syarhei Satsuk is the author of a number of journalistic investigations, including those about corruption in the Belarusian Ministry of Health. He repeatedly mentioned receiving death threats related to his professional activity.

Cuba expresses solidarity with Belarus amid sanctions

Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez. File phoro

Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez. File phoro

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) – Cuban President Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez expressed solidarity with Belarus in confronting the Wests attempts to destabilize the situation in the country during the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council summit on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

Uzbekistan supports further removal of barriers in Eurasian Economic Union

Shavkat Mirziyoyev. An archive photo

Shavkat Mirziyoyev. An archive photo

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) – Uzbekistan that has an observer status at the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) supports the further elimination of barriers and restrictions in the EAEU, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council meeting on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

Putin backs Lukashenko up on tighter manufacturing cooperation in Eurasian Economic Union

Vladimir Putin. Photo courtesy of the Russian president press service/TASS

Vladimir Putin. Photo courtesy of the Russian president press service/TASS

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) – It is important to step up manufacturing cooperation among the Eurasian Economic Union member states. President of Russia Vladimir Putin made the statement at a videoconference session of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council on 10 December, BelTA has learned.

Kochanova: Together Belarus, Russia will be able to solve all problems facing their peoples

MINSK, 10 December (BelTA) - Chairwoman of the Council of the Republic Natalya Kochanova met with Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev of Russia, BelTA has learned.

"Todays meeting is a great opportunity to discuss current issues that we need to address in the near future. I sincerely welcome the good and constructive relations between the Council of the Republic and the Federation Council, between our senators. This is very important in our work, as it contributes to a more trusting and meaningful interaction between state bodies," Natalya Kochanova said.